Selective stage assembly



July 21, 1942. E. B. KASOLD 9 SELECTIVE STAGE ASSEMBLY Filed April 25,1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3nventor fbMu/m 6? fiirs'oza,

ttorneg.

y 1942- E. B. KAS'OLD 2,290,242

SELECTIVE STAGE ASSEMBLY Filed A ril 25, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3nventor(Ittorneg.

ham/r0 5 #45010, 2

Patented July 21, 1942 QFFICE 3 Claims.

ing the scene of a drama, with means whereby these stage units may beconsecutively moved through a closed path or circuit in such a mannerthat they may be individually brought into a position of use.

It is an object of the invention to provide a stage area, a plurality ofstage units or sets which are separately movable, and means for guidingthe movement of these stage units or sets so that they may beconsecutively moved through a circuit and brought individually into thestage area.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stage assembly of thecharacter set forth in the foregoing, including a number of vehicleswhich are separately movable along a track means defining a closed pathor circuit, a portion of which path or circuit is disposed in the rearportion of the stage area, so that as the vehicles are moved through thepath or circuit, they will be consecutively brought into the stage area.Accordingly, the scenes or sets assembled on these vehicles will beselectively brought into position for use in the stage carrier with aminimum of delay as compared to the time now spent in setting up sceneson a standard type of theatrical stage.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stage assembly whereina plurality of separate stage units are movable through a circuit so asto be brought into cooperative relation to a stage area, and havingmeans in association therewith whereby each stage unit may be movedforwardly in the stage area. A further object of the invention is toprovide a track system on which stage units may be moved intocooperative relation to the rear part of a stage area, the portion ofthis track system adjacent the stage area be-' ing movable or shiftableso that its movement will result in movement of the supported stage unitin or into the stage area.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a stage arrangementof the character set forth herein wherein any one or more of theseparate stage units may be selectively removed from or rearranged inthe circuit. For example,

a stage unit may be made up so as to form a set or scene, and then maybe moved into the circuit or path to replace a stage unit which has beenremoved from the circuit.

An important object of the invention is to provide an arrangementwhereby the sets or stages in the taking of sound pictures or televisionmay be quickly changed and brought into position before the camera ortelevision scanning device.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out inthe following part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings which are for illustrative purposes only:

Fig. 1 is a plan view, of schematic character, showing a preferred formof my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational View taken as indicated bythe line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line 33of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a roller and itssupporting brackets.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of one of the vehicles comprising aseparate, movable, stage unit, shown in plan view in Fig. 1.

In Fig. l I show a plurality of stage elements or units E, individuallyidentified-as units El to E6 inclusive. These stage units E are shown inthe form of separate vehicles of segmental form adapted for arrangementin the shape of a hexagon. Each unit E has a platform or floor portionI0 with a long front edge I I, a shorter rear edge l2 and radial endedges I3. To movably support each platform I0, I have shown wheels orrollers M, carried by brackets 15, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, which aresecured to radially disposed beams !6 and H, which are in turn attachedto the lower portion of the platform. The rollers M, as shown in Fig. 5,are arranged on concentric arcs l8 and I 9, so that when the units E aredisposed, as shown in Fig. 1, the wheels will engage inner and outercircular rails 20 and 2|, of channel form, forming a part of a circulartrack system 22, forming a continuous path or circuit through which thestage units E may be moved so that they will, one at a time, be broughtconsecutively into a position at the rear of the stage space A.

In Fig. 1 I have shown the stage unit E in full lines, shifted forwardlyfrom the position thereof indicated by dotted lines 23, so that thefront edge I! thereof will engage the rear edge 24 of a footlight stagesection 25, which is customarily fixed in the position in which it isshown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, in front of the area 26 occupied by theaudience. So that this forward shifting of the stage unit El may beaccomplished, sections 28a and 2la of the rails 20 and 2| are mounted ona carriage 21 having a number of supporting means 28, carrying wheels29, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, which wheels 29 run in channel tracks 30,positioned as shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive. When the carrier 21 isshifted rearwardly so a to bring the rail sections 20a and Zla into theposition thereof indicated by dotted lines 20 and 2i, these railsections will be aligned with the circular rails 20 and 2|, therebycompleting the circular track system, and when the stage units E aremoved through the circular path defined by the track system, the corners3! thereof, will clear the rear edge 24 of the footlight stage section25.

The stage units E are of such character that sets or scenery may beassembled thereon, and with a minimum expenditure of time, these stageunits may be brought into the stage area A. The stage units E areseparate, so that they may be removed from the circuit defined by thetrack system 22 as desired, and may be replaced by other stage unitswhich have been made up prior to the placing thereof in the circuit. As,a means for removing and replacing stage units E with relation to thecircuit,I have shown the track system 22 as comprising a rear carrier27a similar to the front carrier 27, this carrier 27a being movable ontracks 38a and carrying rail sections 34 and 35 of the rails 20 and 2|.

Within the area outlined or surrounded by the track system 22,background scenery 3'! may be disposed. For example, such backgroundscenery 3! may represent mountains in the distance, visible to the rearof the stage. Such back- .grounds 3! may be mounted upon a carriage 38so that it may be moved forwardly on rails 39 which may be aligned, asshown in Fig. 1, with the members 30.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a stage arrangement of the character described, the combinationof: means defining a stage space in which. an action is presented; aplurality of separate stage units, each comprising a separately movablevehicle having a platform to serve as a floor in said stage space and onwhich a set may be assembled; and track means forming a substantiallyclosed path, a portion of which path lies contiguous to the rear portionof said stage space, and through which said stage units may be moved ina circuit so as to be brought consecutively into a. position at the rearof said stage space, a portion of said track means at the rear of saidstage space being forwardly shiftable from its normal position relativeto the remainder of said track means, so as to move the stage unitthereon forwardly in said stage space.

2. In a stage arrangement of the character described, the combinationof: means defining a stage space in which an action is presented; acircular track system disposed to the rear of said stage space, theportion of said track system contiguous to said stage space beingforwardly shiftable; and a plurality of stage units each comprising awheeled vehicle arranged to roll on said track system to a position onsaid forwardly shiftable portion of ;said track system, whereby each ofsaid stage units may be consecutively brought into cooperativerelation'to said stage space and then, by the-forward shi-fting of saidportion of said track system, moved forwardly in said stage space to aposition of use.

3. In a stage arrangement of the character described, the combinationof: means defining a stage space in which an action is presented; acircular track system disposed to the; rear of said stage space, theportion of said track system contiguous to said stage space beingforwardly shiftable; a plurality of stage units each comprising awheeled vehicle arranged to roll on said track system to a position'onsaid forwardly shiftable portion of said track system, whereby each ofsaid stage units maybe consecutively; brought into cooperative relation'to said stage space and then, by the forward shifting of said portionof said track system, moved forwardly in.said stage space to a positionof use; .and a background set' behind said stage space in the areaoutlined by said track system.

EDMUND B. KASOLD.

